Promise No Promises – No Can Do [2017] (Ziggy Blacks)

Promise No Promises releases debut album “No Can Do,” produced by Ziggy Blacks

Kobla Mentor also known as Promise No Promises is a multi-talented artist. Born in Guyana, and currently based in Antigua/Barbuda, Promise No Promises dabbles in many fields. He is an actor, film director, and also a music producer besides being a singer. He is now coming forward to the Reggae scene with the release if his first full-length Reggae album, three years after the release of the single “Draw We Out,” produced by Walshy Fire.“No Can Do” was released on November 3rd 2017. It’s a 17-track album that was produced by Ziggy Blacks, and mixed & mastered at the MacLes Music Factory. This album has been released about a year after his 12-track EP “In Real Life,” produced by Blend Mishkin, and backed by the Roots Evolution band from Greece.The very first track, “Life Is No Bed of Rose,” is one of the best tracks of the album. The production, handled by MacLes, is very good. It’s one of the few tracks that benefit of the live drumming of Wim Radics. The track is deep, and the ambiant synth that lays back in the background adds something mystical to the track.“Stand & Fight” was also produced by MacLes, and features Wim Radics on the drums. It’s more uptempo compared to the previous track, and it has a totally different vibe. Yet, it is another very good track.

Promise No Promises has great voice, but it doesn’t make up for everything.

The album features tracks from 6 different producers. Unfortunately, you can hear the difference between each producers. For instance, “Africa Love” follows 2 tracks produced by MacLes. It sounds drastically different in terms of style. It gives the impression that the album is a random playlist of songs.In October 2016, about a year earlier the release of this album, Promise No Promises had released a 12-track EP entitled “In Real Life.” This EP had the advantage to have been recorded with a live band. Therefore, it sounded more coherent than “No Can Do,” in terms of style.Another downside of this album is the use of synthetic instruments. Sometimes it can be great, like the ambiant synths that adds depth in the riddim. But in certain tracks, like “Mount Zion,” “Surely,” and “Rasta Say No Can Do,” the trumpets lack of warmth, and sound rather flat. Digital horns are always kind of disappointing.On the other hand, a few tracks of the album include live drums played by Wim “Radics” Verbruggen of Asham Band (Belgium), like we had mentioned before. Even though, the use of drum machines is widely accepted in music production nowadays, it is always pleasant when live instruments are used.

“No Can Do” is not the best of 2017 but it is a decent album

This is definitely not the best album of 2017. It sounds more like a compilation of songs following each other without real connection between each tracks. There is a bit of everything to please everyone, from roots to New Roots, including Modern Lovers Rock and Ska.Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that Promise No Promises has a great voice, which is deep, and slightly grainy. But sometimes, he used several times the same bits of lyrics. You can hear similarities between tracks like “Stand & Fight” and “Mount Zion Calling.“This album is not outstandingly great but it is not bad. Despite the average quality of certain productions, “No Can Do” is quite a decent album. It will likely not be remembered as a classic album in 10 years. But we could expect much better from Promise No Promises on his sophomore album if he continues on that way.For more music, info, and updates from Promise No Promises check out: